Interseeding strategies for legume integration into meadow fescue pastures

Authors: Jaramillo, David; Bauman, Lisa; LIMA, LAIS - University Of Florida; CAVADINI, JASON - University Of Wisconsin

Submitted to: Grass and Forage Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/2026
Publication Date: 3/22/2026
Citation: Jaramillo, D.M., Bauman, L.M., Lima, L., Cavadini, J. 2026. Interseeding strategies for legume integration into meadow fescue pastures. Grass and Forage Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70268.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70268

Interpretive Summary: Forage legumes provide a wide range of ecosystem services to grasslands, but their incorporation into pre-estabished pastures can be challenging. Improving legume proportion and species diversity of meadow fescue pasture-based systems can provide vast benefits to a given farming system. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare no-till or frost seeding strategies to incorporate clovers or chicory into a pre-established meadow fescue sward, all in the first year after establishment. In addition, this study aimed to quantify biological N2-fixation from the clovers. Chicory failed to establish in both years of the study. While all planting strategies were successful at establishing clovers, frost seeding may be a more attractive method provided that it may be more economical, requiring less specialized equipment. No-till interseeding in the Fall or Spring are also adequate strategies. Overall red clover was more productive than white clover on the first year after planting. This study showed that interseeding clovers into meadow fescue pastures is indeed valuable for improving pasture systems by increasing forage accumulation and fixing up to 20 kg N/ha/year. This data provides valuable evidence for farmers looking to improve their pastures by increasing clover proportions.

Technical Abstract: Forage legumes provide a wide range of ecosystem services to grasslands. Developing and improving management practices that may enhance persistence and performance of forage legumes are imperative for increasing the adoption of legume species within the context of livestock production. Improving legume proportion and species diversity of meadow fescue [Lolium pratense (Huds.) Darbysh] pasture-based systems can provide vast benefits to a given farming system. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare no-till or frost seeding strategies to incorporate clovers (Trifolium spp.) or chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) into a pre-established meadow fescue sward, all in the first year after establishment. No-till planting occurred in the Fall or Spring of each year. In addition, this study aimed to quantify biological N2-fixation (BNF) from the interseeded clovers. Chicory failed to establish in both years of the study. While all planting strategies were successful at establishing clovers, frost seeding may be a more attractive method provided that it may be more economical, requiring less specialized equipment. No-till interseeding in the Fall or Spring are also adequate strategies. Overall red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) was more productive than white clover (T. repens L.) on the first year after planting. Further evaluations into persistence after the first year of planting warrant further investigation. As a whole, interseeding clovers into meadow fescue pastures is indeed valuable for improving pasture systems by increasing forage accumulation and fixing up to 20 kg N ha-1 yr-1.